Kniphofia 'Border Ballet'
Common Name: red-hot poker, torch lilies
Zones 5 to 8.
Full Sun to partial sun.
Mature height is 18 to 24 inches. Spreads to 18 to 24 inches wide.
Compact, upright, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial .
Flowers emerge in a variety of colors, including orange, red, pink, yellow and creamy pastels, above clumps of coarse, sword-shaped, bluish-green leaves. Each flower head is broad at the top but tapered at the base, thus resembling a torch or poker. Plants primarily flower in June and July, with some continued rebloom into September in optimum conditions. Kniphofia will benefit by having its leaf tips trimmed in the spring to stimulate healthy, new growth. Deadheading will prolong the blooming period. After the plant is finished flowering, the sword-shaped leaves should be cut back by half to stimulate new leaf growth.
Kniphofias prefers rich, humus soils, but will grow in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. A sun lover that likes it hot and dry, Kniphofia will benefit from a good supply of water when blooming. Intolerant of wet, heavy soils, particularly in winter. Locate in areas protected from wind. Crowns benefit from winter protection in USDA Zones 5 and 6. A winter mulch or tying leaves together to form a canopy over the crown prevents water from settling in the crown and freezing. Established clumps are best left undisturbed.
Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system, drought tolerant thereafter.
Attributes: border plant, containers, cut flower, drought and salt tolerant. Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. Deer and rabbit resistant. |
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